Apple moves 23,000 iPhone Duo units as walk-in stock depletes

Apple sold 23,000 units of the iPhone Duo on Friday, October 23, as walk-in inventory at retail locations ran dry. The company’s first foldable smartphone launched globally on that date, drawing immediate crowds to stores in multiple countries.

Apple warned shoppers in advance that retail stock would be limited. That forecast proved accurate as queues formed outside stores overnight. Employees at various locations told disappointed customers to check the Apple Store app at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday for details on available inventory.

Senior leaders attended launch events at specific sites. Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, visited the Fifth Avenue flagship in New York with retail executive Vanessa Trigub. Apple CEO John Ternus was present at the Domain NORTHSIDE store in Austin, Texas, alongside retail chief Deirdre O'Brien.

Ternus had toured Apple’s Austin offices earlier in the week. The city is currently hosting the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, an event where Apple serves as the exclusive US streaming partner.

Apple issued a press release on Friday morning featuring photos from launch events in various cities. The company stated that employees offered hands-on demonstrations and personalized shopping assistance to customers filling the stores.

The device’s debut marked a shift in Apple’s hardware lineup. The firm did not provide a total global sales figure for the initial period, but the 23,000 units sold represent the walk-in portion of the launch day total.